Sun, snow and smiles

After two consecutive years of cancelled races, the 2013 Siskiyou Sled Dog Races went off without a hitch last weekend with an abundance of sunshine, snow and smiles.

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By John Bowman

Siskiyou Daily News, Yreka, CA

By John Bowman

Posted Feb. 12, 2013 at 12:21 PM
Updated Feb 12, 2013 at 12:57 PM

By John Bowman

Posted Feb. 12, 2013 at 12:21 PM
Updated Feb 12, 2013 at 12:57 PM

Weed

After two consecutive years of cancelled races, the 2013 Siskiyou Sled Dog Races went off without a hitch last weekend with an abundance of sunshine, snow and smiles. Over 100 spectators and 20 racing teams from all over the west coast gathered at the Klamath National Forest’s Deer Mountain/Chuck Best Snowmobile Park near Weed on Feb. 9 and 10 to watch and compete in six different race categories.

For those who have never witnessed a sled dog race in person, it is a family-friendly, all-ages event like no other which incorporates outdoor adventure, and the wonder of highly-trained animals working together with their trainers to overcome the challenges of nature.

The Siskiyou Sled Dog Races are organized, promoted and operated by the Siskiyou Snow Dog Sporting Association (SSDSA) and a deep roster of volunteers. The organization first formed in 2006 – in response to the failure of a previous sled dog organization – and held its first race in 2007. Since then the race was cancelled once due to a last-minute storm and twice due to lack of snow. Lisa Campbell, one of the most active SSDSA members, said “We’re not going to put the dogs or the mushers in danger, so we’re always going to cancel the race if we know we’re not going to have safe conditions.”

But the challenges of mushing in northern California have not stopped this dedicated, passionate group of racers and fans from keeping the 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization and its primary event alive and well. Regard less of whether the race can proceed each year, the organization holds a variety of fundraising and outreach events throughout the year – bringing communities together for events such as public presentations, dances, free dog sled rides for children and visits to local schools.

Between the long list of public events throughout the year and the race itself, Campbell said SSDSA owes everything to the 50 or so volunteers that give generously of their time, energy and skills. The U.S. Forest Service grooms the many miles of trail used for the race. The Siskiyou County Amateur Radio Association provides essential on-the-ground radio communications, keeping race staff and racer teams in touch from all over the course. Scott Valley event MC, Cindy Summers provided free sound equipment and MC services for the race along with several other volunteer announcers. The Lake Shastina Kiwanis Club provided a food and drink concession booth. Mary Fournier provides free first aid training for the volunteers and Campbell says, “All of the mushers are volunteers, too. You can ask them to do anything and they’ll pitch in to help.”

While the many energetic and lovable sled dogs are a draw for children and adults alike, every musher brings their own unique and interesting story to the race, as well. They have come to the sport for a wide variety of reasons, from all over the west coast, and many utilize rescued dogs in their highly-trained teams.

Page 2 of 3 - Lisa Campbell’s husband, Pat Campbell, has been mushing for 25 years and doing dog sled tours for 22 years on Mt. Shasta. He and Lisa live in Callahan, in western Siskiyou County. He is also co-director of the SSDSA. Callahan residents see him on the area’s back roads throughout the year pulling an ATV behind his dog teams for off-season training. He says, “My wife Lisa and I are blessed to be among the organizers for the Siskiyou Sled Dog races. We’re glad for this year’s races and the great snow conditions this year. It’s great to get together with our mushing friends, sled dog racing enthusiasts, faithful volunteers and friends we’ve come to appreciate so much over the years.” He won this years 16-dog, 19.5 mile race.

Kathy Miyoshi, winner of this year’s 6-dog, 13.5 mile race says she runs a small hobby kennel (Arcticgrace Siberians) of nine purebred AKC Siberian huskies, two rescued Alaskan huskies and one rescued Labrador mix named Tucker, who also races. “I first started in Siberian huskies in 1991 and began racing in 1997. All my dogs are my pets and spend just about as much time inside the house as out,” says Miyoshi. “Although I started out in the smaller sprint racing classes, my love is the 6-dog mid-distance class. I truly enjoy the Siskiyou races and send a profound ‘thank you’ to everyone who has assisted in putting this race on again.

Tanner Boone, a freshman at South Medford High School, won this year’s 4-dog, 5 mile race. This was his first year racing in the adult division. Tanner raced with four of Hugo Antonucci’s dogs.

For more musher bios, more information about the SSDSA or how to volunteer, go to siskiyousleddograces.com.

The full results of this year’s Siskiyou Sled Dog Races are as follows: